Atari Bigby gets pay cut, trip to specialist

Atari Bigby is upset that he didn’t get the longterm contract extension he wanted this offseason, and now he’s playing with a pay cut too.

But the bigger issue for the Green Bay Packers veteran safety right now is the health of his left ankle as he has been unable to practice since injuring himself in a conditioning test before training camp.

Bigby traveled to North Carolina to see a top specialist. One league source said it is possible Bigby might require arthroscopic surgery, but he did not know for certain. Obviously, if that happens, he’s looking at being out for a longer period of time than the first week of training camp.

Bigby was tendered as a restricted free agent at $1.759 million but when he didn’t sign the tender before the June 15 deadline, the Packers reduced the offer to $1,699,500, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. So, holding out for more dough actually cost Bigby, $59,500 to be exact. He said he’s “extremely disappointed.”

He’s got to be more disappointed seeing rookie third-round draft pick Morgan Burnett get more and more time ahead of time, repetitions that could lead to Burnett taking Bigby’s job. After the Packers drafted Burnett, Bigby lost any leverage he might have had. With the ankle injury, it’s possible he could lose even more. Hopefully for his sake, it’s not a serious situation.

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